Category Archives: Devotion & Inspiration

MLK Day and Time for another Memory Verse

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Hello to you on this Martin Luther King day! We all take a moment today and remember the great work that this man did for freedom and for civil rights! Thank you Dr. King.

The multicultural church that I attend honors Dr. King on this weekend each year with a moving processional where congregants from different nations carry the flag of their country. It’s a beautiful picture of what I believe heaven is like…’every tribe and nation’!

OK, friend’s, it’s the middle of the month, and time for anyone who is joining me in bi-monthly scripture memory to work on another verse!  Would love to know if you are joining me in this venture or if you have a memory system to share.

I have been memorizing out of the book of James this year and have a couple verses for today. These verses are a call to action which is in perfect harmony with the call of Dr. Martin Luther King.

‘But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do… Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.’ James 1:25, 27 NIV

Capture a segment for yourself, I promise it’ll mean more than ever if you meditate on it… and even more if you sear it into your memory – and as an added benefit, memorization is good for the brain.

I post my memory verses by my exercise machine and in my bathroom… on my iPhone and iPad. Some people create cards and use lamination. Please share your ideas!

I’ll be asking God to help us with our verses…and we will have another memory challenge at the beginning of February.

Live large, love lavishly and join me in memorizing!  Madge


My 50th Blog Post and 50th Birthday

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In case you didn’t notice, it’s been a while since I posted. My plan was a grandiose 50th post giveaway on my 50th birthday so that you could have a chance to win a few nice prizes and celebrate with me. Don’t worry though, we will have a giveaway sometime soon!

Theoretically, my 50th birthday should have been a most delightful experience! It was a great celebration with parties and decorations, cards and presents, cakes and dinners out! It’s just that I did not feel the celebratory nature within myself that I had hoped. I wasn’t quite prepared like my friend, who has a 50th birthday next year, and has already been working on 50 things to do before her 50th year is over. Darn, I should’ve thought to do something to emotionally prepare before hand. Unlike many people, I did not have any issues with turning 30 or 40 or any other age….and then suddenly 50 hit, as if I didn’t know it was on it’s way. What was different? Well, as it turns out nothing is different besides having an extra reason to celebrate – that, even against odds, with my disability, I manage to live a productive and fulfilling life without too many unexpected health glitches for 50 years! Hooray!

Thankfully, I spring back quickly and don’t lollygag in my sorrows, realizing with gratitude the wonderful life I live. Gratitude is my recurring theme and medicine…my husband, my health, my family, my friends, my church, my hope in Jesus…the list goes on and on. Yes, you might be sick of hearing me say it.

Now that the ‘big’ day has actually passed, I am fully excited about the new year and all of the prospects of growth before us. My goals this year include a few that are quite a stretch for me – but that’s for another day’s discussion. Let us get on with our accomplishments and make a 2012 difference wherever we are called.

Have a peek in to my first week of 2012….it’s been a bit ‘me’ focused…


My friends for 35 years and pastors for over 25, John and Beth Fichtner, kicked off the first day of 2012 with an early birthday dinner.
We spent four days taking care of a friend’s golden-doodle, Hooper. Can you tell Brent is the dog whisperer?
We had to leave Hooper at home while went we to our Friday night church where Brent surprised me with a party afterwards! He amazed me with his impressive decorating and food coordination! Usually I lead the way when it comes to entertaining. Thank you Brent and thank you to my ‘seasoned sisters’ and all of the other friends that attended.
Special thanks to Andrea and Hannah who brought a toy for Tahoe who patiently waited in the van during the party.
‘The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.’ Abe Lincoln

After the party, my present was Hooper and Tahoe…
Sweet sleep…

On my ‘actual’ birthday, I was greeted by mooing in the front yard. Maybe I should ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ – I’m glad I’m not among the obese in this nation…I might have taken the cows personally.

Don’t I look excited? Cows via one of my ‘over fifty’ brothers and sister-in-laws (Brian and Ann) and my precious nieces, Leah and Maya.
Topping off the day with flounder from an amazing new restaurant nearby. We had the best table in the house. Believe it or not, that was half a serving!

He is my hero for life. I love him.

Try it if you are in the Atlanta area. I read a review that said, ‘Finally, a real restaurant in Marietta’.

Door decorations…

Homemade brownies and candies in our ‘Christian Believer’ class the next day. One of my bffs, Cynthia, baked. After the food was almost gone I snapped a photo!

Oh yes, flowers and Godiva from my sister-in-law, Linda, arrived the day after, too. Nothing like making a celebration last…I needed the chocolate because I missed Hooper who had just gone home.

By the way, I was made for this year! My maiden name is Pentecost which means 50, and biblically, Pentecost is when the power of the Holy Spirit came to believers of Christ – and the Jews consider the 50th year the year of jubilee!! It’s the year of release and redemption! During this year all debts were canceled back in the day…guess America could use a concept like that about now.

Thank you everyone for a fabulous 50!. Let’s have a great 2012!

PS. Don’t worry, I’m emotionally stable….now.

A New Year – Honing Some Habits

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Welcome to 2012!  As I bid farewell to 2011 I’m hopeful about our new year.  I  enthusiastically enjoy this warm first day of January with keen awareness that the thermometer will not read 66º  tomorrow.  Before I get bogged down in creative ways to stay warm, I want to re-invite you to join me this year in one or more habits, practices, goals…whatever you like to call the little things I do to stay centered on God.

1.  Journaling.  Come on folks, even if you don’t participate in my ‘spiritual/religious/relationship’ habits, you can appreciate this invitation.  Journaling is just plain good for the body, soul and spirit.  Go ahead – google the benefits of journaling and you’ll find article after article touting its value.  Enough said.  Get a journal – I use my iPad and iJournaler app (although I’m seriously considering a change in app so I can cross multiple devices and platforms – suggestions welcome).  Confession: I listed journaling first because I’ve struggled most with daily consistency in this area.

2. Bible Reading Plan – There are so many choices from Youversion.  I wrote about it here.  Also, if you enjoy audio, check out my Daily Audio Bible review.  I can’t say enough about the power of consistent relationship with God’s living word.

3. Scripture Memorization – I’m starting with verses from James this year, but last year I was all over map. Looking over last year’s verses brings sheer goodness to my heart – some of them have seen me through tough times.  Like I shared here, memorization is good for more than the brain…and my first 2012 verse is…If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

I planned to hold back and leave the list at three, but my wise husband suggested I include the all important act of (#4) Goal Setting.  That’s obvious, I thought.  Certainly goals are discussed, written, reviewed and measured in our house and they’ve served as a catalyst for progress and success in our family and for us individually in many areas. We don’t always achieve our goals, that’s life, but we know if we don’t have them we will lack direction and focus.  Goals are the reason habits 1-3 exist.

My husband, Brent, blogged on goal-setting the day after I wrote this post.  He runs circles around my writing!  Check it out here!

 

I would love to hear about the strategies you use to set goals and keep your focus.  And if you are so inclined, pray about joining me in one or more of the above.  Life’s more fun with friends!


Celebrate! It’s Christmas! Our Final Advent Devotional

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Celebrate! It’s Christmas! Our Final Advent Devotional

Joy to the World! Merry Christmas to you and a special Christmas geek-treat below from our family…but we have to start with the important:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6

So grateful to celebrate the gift of the baby! We worship the light of the world as we light the ‘Christ’ candle along with the candles of hope, love, joy and peace.

The nativity my Great Aunt Anita made years ago is a focus of our Christmas decor….Thank you Father for sending your Son.

…the baby is the center.

I love the lights of Christmas inside and outside reflecting Jesus the light of the world!

Christmas tunes everywhere! They can’t be beat. One of my all time favorite ‘FUN’ Christmas music is the seven minute video from Northpoint Church’s iband last year. If you have an ounce of geek in you and you haven’t seen it, you won’t be disappointed. I could watch it 100 times.

May you enjoy your family time – we’ll be having a quiet Christmas, and maybe I’m just a wee bit tempted to be sad and miss my other family members; my refocus on the blessed saviour and an added dose of gratitude cures.

Celebrate the day – even if it’s not snowing! From our family to yours.